Del Mar Wine + Food Festival may be a relative newcomer on the gourmet circuit, but it punches above its weight with North America’s top talent in food, drink, and sport. Now in its third year, the five-day celebration returns September 10–14, bringing an athletic twist to the traditional food festival format and shining a spotlight on the Cali-Baja culinary scene.
Founded by soccer superstar Alex Morgan, NFL icon Drew Brees, and pro surfer Rob Machado, the festival blends feasting and imbibing with events like golf, volleyball, surfing, and soccer. In its first two years, the festival raised $75,000 for Feeding San Diego, the city’s leading hunger relief and food rescue organization.
This year’s lineup includes nine signature events, Michelin-starred chefs, ESPY-worthy star power, and more than 12,000 attendees expected.
The festivities begin with an opening night rooftop party hosted by San Diego FC at Monarch Ocean Pub, with players from the team in attendance. The next day, attendees can play pickleball with Drew Brees and other former pro athletes and celebrity chefs. Food Network stars and Top Chef alumni will host demos and dinners throughout the week, with headliners including Jet Tila, Mawa McQueen, Michael Voltaggio, and Brian Malarkey.
“This is my first year at Del Mar Wine + Food Festival, and I couldn't be more excited,” McQueen says. “While in the past my focus has been on sharing my Afro-Mediterranean flavors through Mawa's Kitchen, this year I'm shifting the spotlight to something more personal—my love for crêpes!” She’ll serve both sweet and savory crêpes at the Grand Tasting, offering a preview of new Southern California locations for Crêpe Therapy Café, slated to open next year.
Alex Morgan will host a multi-course dinner featuring six powerhouse female chefs, presented by JUSTIN Winery at Fairmont Grand Del Mar. Proceeds will benefit the Alex Morgan Foundation and its mission to level the playing field for girls in sports and beyond.
Smaller, more intimate dinners throughout the week lead up to the all-inclusive Grand Tasting at Surf Sports Park on Saturday and Sunday, featuring more than 100 chefs and restaurants from San Diego and Baja California. The lineup changes each day, making it worth attending both.
Chef Eric Bost is among the returning talent, repping Jeune et Jolie on Saturday and Wildland on Sunday. “Troy [Johnson] and the San Diego Magazine team definitely know how to throw a great party, and always bring together such talented industry friends from all over the region,” Bost says.
Matsu’s chef William Eick, a festival regular, will be on hand Saturday with kampachi crudo and raspberry ponzu.
“Del Mar Wine + Food Festival puts a spotlight on a region I’ve spent the last two decades cooking in, learning from, and contributing to,” says chef Drew Deckman, who oversees 31ThirtyOne in San Diego along with Deckman's and Conchas de Piedra in Valle de Guadalupe. “Cali-Baja is one of the most unique food ecosystems anywhere, and this festival brings together the chefs, growers, makers, and community who care about that. That’s why I keep showing up.”
The “plant paradise” zone spotlights plant-based restaurants and brands, including San Diego’s vegan fine-dining hotspot Vulture. Taco Alley returns with several riffs on a San Diego staple, while Temecula wineries pour in full force. A beach-inspired area brings the surf spirit inland with volleyball courts and Playavole paddle setups.
Tickets are on sale now, with single-day Grand Tasting passes starting at $165 for general admission, which includes unlimited food and drink. VIP tickets offer early entry and access to an exclusive lounge.
